1909 marked the appearance of Harley-Davidsons first v-twin, though it was not until the adoption of mechanically operated inlet valves in 1911 (replacing the atmospheric type inherited from the single) that production really took off. Known by the sobriquet pocket valve, this inlet-over-exhaust engine - built in 61ci (1,000cc) and 74ci (1,200cc) capacities - would remain in production for the next 20 years. The Harley singles transmission arrangements - direct drive by means of a leather belt - were continued at first on the twin, but the need to make better use of the engines power characteristics, particularly for sidecar pulling, prompted the introduction of a two-speed rear hub for 1914, by which time chain drive and a proper clutch had been adopted. Later that same year a conventional, three-speed, sliding-gear transmission with step starter was introduced on the top-of-the-range version of the twin which, with full electrical equipment, was listed from now on as the Model J. Periodically revised and up-dated, the Model J had gained a front brake, stronger fork and pumped lubrication by the time production ceased in 1929. Dating from the final year of production, this example of Harleys landmark original v-twin has formed part of the Collection for more than 30 years. The machine is equipped with full electric lighting and Corbin 100mph speedometer, the latter recording a total of 21,701 miles on the odometer. It is not known when it was last used. Offered with old-style buff logbook and old-type Swansea V5.

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